March 18, 2015 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Chak Au, Chair
Councillor Harold Steves
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Alexa Loo (entered at 4:06 p.m.)

Absent:

Councillor Derek Dang

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee held on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Wednesday, April 22, 2015, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

1.

Installation of Dynamic Message Sign on Northbound Knight StreET
(File Ref. No. 01-0150-20-THIG1) (REDMS No. 4507396)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report regarding the installation of a dynamic message sign on northbound Knight Street to support regional transportation management in the Metro Vancouver area, dated February 17, 2015, from the Director, Transportation, be received for information.

CARRIED

ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION

2.

City of Richmond Utility Box Art Wrap Program Implementation
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-20-101) (REDMS No. 4521667)

In reply to queries from Committee, Eric Fiss, Public Art Planner, advised that a vinyl material will be utilized for the utility box art wraps, and this material typically lasts approximately five years.

It was moved and seconded

That the implementation of integrating artwork on City of Richmond utility boxes, as outlined in the staff report from the Director, Public Works and Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, dated March 2, 2015, be endorsed.

CARRIED

3.

2015 Clothes Washer Rebate Program
(File Ref. No. 10-6650-02/2015) (REDMS No. 4507873 v. 3)

It was moved and seconded

That:

(1)

the City partner with BC Hydro to offer a combined rebate program May 1 to June 30 and October 1 to October 31 of this year, which will provide a rebate of up to $200, equally cost shared between BC Hydro and the City, for the replacement of an inefficient clothes washer with a new high efficiency one;

(2)

the scope of the existing toilet rebate program funding be expanded to include clothes washer rebates; and

(3)

the CAO and General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be authorized to execute an agreement with BC Hydro to implement this program.

CARRIED

4.

Final 2013 Corporate Carbon Neutral Emissions
(File Ref. No. 10-6125-07-03) (REDMS No. 4474585 v. 3)

In reply to queries from Committee, Levi Higgs, Corporate Energy Manager, advised that of the 160 local governments that signed the BC Climate Action Charter, approximately 30 have achieved carbon neutral status.

Cllr. Loo entered the meeting (4:06 p.m.)

Discussion took place on the City’s green cart program and Tom Stewart, Director, Public Works, advised that staff are in discussions with local farmers regarding the use of the City’s composted green cart collection materials; he noted that, although there is interest in utilizing this material, factors such as nutrient content and how the material would feed through a spreader remain to be resolved.

Also, discussion took place on reporting requirements as it relates to the City’s credits for the Richmond Olympic Oval.

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report titled “Final 2013 Corporate Carbon Neutral Emissions” from the Director, Engineering, dated February 23, 2015, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

MANAGER’S REPORT

Transportation Department Updates

Victor Wei, Director, Transportation, advised that the provincial government has announced a $2.5 billion transportation plan to maintain and replace infrastructure, noting that a staff report in relation to projects relevant to Richmond will be presented at the next Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting.  Mr. Wei spoke on the George Massey Tunnel replacement project, noting that the report confirms that a bridge will replace the existing tunnel; however, the cost of the project and its funding source were not disclosed.

Discussion took place regarding buses along Chatham Street, and Mr. Wei advised that staff are working with TransLink on the matter; also, he noted that the Mayors’ Council Transportation and Transit Plan indicates that a bus exchange in Steveston may be pursued should the transit plebiscite be approved.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:17 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

_________________________________

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Councillor Chak Au
Chair

Hanieh Berg
Committee Clerk